Memphis Grizzlies lose to Rockets despite Jaren Jackson Jr.'s career-high 44 points

Jaren Jackson Jr. had more than 40 points for the second straight game, but again it was not enough for the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Houston Rockets won 117-104 on Wednesday at the Toyota Center in Houston despite a career-high 44 points from Jackson.

Houston led by 19 points in the second quarter and by 14 at halftime. But the Grizzlies opened the third quarter on a 23-10 run to cut the lead to two, with Jackson and Derrick Rose leading the way.

Leading by a point after three quarters, the Rockets scored the first six points of the fourth as Jackson rested for 94 seconds. Memphis never got back within a basket again.

Jackson, who scored 41 points in Monday's loss to the Mavericks at FedExForum, shot 15-for-24 against the Rockets. Rose had a season-high 19 points. Vince Williams Jr. was the only other Grizzlies player in double figures (10), and Memphis shot just 26% from 3.

Tari Eason led Houston with a career-high 25 points. Dillon Brooks, in his second game against Memphis this season since leaving for the Rockets, had 11 points, two rebounds and an assist. Brooks also picked up a technical foul with 19.4 seconds remaining after some extra contact with Jackson after a personal foul.

Recap the game below.

Grizzlies vs. Rockets live score updates

Rockets 104, Grizzlies 97, 5:40 4Q: Houston regains control

Houston has pushed the pace in the fourth quarter, which has a led to a few quick buckets and fouls. Tari Eason leads the Rockets with 20 points and has led the pushed pace.

Memphis is getting good offense from Derrick Rose (19 points, a season-high) and JJJ (38 points), but need some late stops.

Rockets 88, Grizzlies 81, 10:26 4Q: Without JJJ, Grizzlies fall more behind at start of fourth quarter

Jaren Jackson Jr. doesn't start the fourth quarter, and Houston scores the first six points of the final quarter before a timeout by Taylor Jenkins. JJJ is back in the game after the timeout.

Fred VanVleet has three points on 0-of-3 shooting, but six other Rockets players have at least eight points. Houston continues its balanced scoring.

Rockets 82, Grizzlies 81, end third quarter: Grizzlies close in on lead

Memphis can't quite take the lead despite a couple chances late in the third quarter, but the Grizzlies have all the momentum heading into the final 12 minutes of regulation.

After Aaron Holiday beat the shot clock with a long 3-pointer, Ziaire Williams was fouled on a 3-point attempt by Holiday with 0.9 seconds left in the quarter. Williams made all three free throws to cut the Houston lead to 1.

Jaren Jackson Jr. has 31 points and has been eating up Jock Landale and Alperen Sengun.

Rockets 72, Grizzlies 70, 4:05 3Q: Jaren Jackson Jr., Derrick Rose leading Grizzlies offense

Jaren Jackson Jr. has 27 points, and Derrick Rose is up to 15 points as the Grizzlies continue to push to tie or take the lead. Houston's Alperen Sengun will sit with four fouls, so more opportunity for Jackson and the Grizzlies frontcourt to take control of this game.

Grizzlies are up 27-15 in the third quarter. Impressive stretch given the halftime lead for Houston and Bane's absence.

Rockets 60, Grizzlies 54, 8:53 3Q: Memphis is within 6 after 11-3 run to begin second half

Grizzlies string together some stops and go on an 11-3 run to force a Rockets timeout out of halftime. Jaren Jackson Jr. is up to 20 points, including a nice and-1 against Dillon Brooks on the low post.

Houston led by as much as 19 late in the second quarter.

Rockets 57, Grizzlies 43, halftime: Grizzlies offense struggling without Desmond Bane

Grizzlies kept within reasonable distance after a 9-1 run, but a Jabari Smith and-1 late gave the Rockets a 14-point lead at halftime.

Jaren Jackson Jr. has 15 points and Derrick Rose has 8 points, but not nearly enough for the Grizzlies to have an advantage against Houston's balanced scoring. Smith leads the Rockets with 13 points, while Tari Eason has 10.

Grizzlies shot 5-of-21 from 3 during the first half.

Rockets 46, Grizzlies 30, 7:48 2Q: Rockets turning stops into offense

A Santi Aldama turnover turns into a Jae'Sean Tate lob to Tari Eason for a dunk. Houston leads 46-30.

Grizzlies are having a hard time getting their offense going, with few options that can beat defenders off the dribble without Bane.

Rockets 29, Grizzlies 23, end first quarter: Grizzlies need more from bench

Memphis' bench (Santi Aldama, John Konchar, Jaylen Nowell and Ziaire Williams) starts 1-for-5 from the field. Jake LaRavia will enter the game to start the second quarter. The Grizzlies shot 39% in the first quarter as a team.

Dillon Brooks had 9 first-quarter points on 4-of-5 shooting.

Rockets 23, Grizzlies 20, 2:55 1Q: Jaren Jackson Jr. continues hot shooting streak

Jaren Jackson Jr. has nine points on 4-6 shooting, including a 3-pointer that forces a Rockets timeout. Jackson came into Wednesday's game after shooting better than 50% from 3 over the last four games. With Desmond Bane out, the Grizzlies need a huge game from him.

David Roddy has hit two 3-pointers in the first quarter as well. Jaylen Nowell and Ziaire Williams entered the game first off the bench, and both players have assists.

Rockets 17, Grizzlies 9, 7:11 1Q: Rockets offense gets hot early

Jabari Smith Jr. has two 3-pointers, and Dillon Brooks another, as the Rockets lead 17-9 early.

Grizzlies' starting five is a big lineup, and Houston's small lineup will be a problem all night. Grizzlies will need to shoot well and rebound well tonight.

Grizzlies starting lineup for Wednesday's game without Desmond Bane

Grizzlies starting five: Derrick Rose, Vince Williams Jr., David Roddy, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Bismack Biyombo

Rockets starting five: Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr, Alperen Sengun,

Desmond Bane is "probably out' for Wednesday's game, Taylor Jenkins says

Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said guard Desmond Bane is "probably out" for Wednesday's game with an illness, the Commercial Appeal's Damichael Cole reported.

Bane is the Grizzlies' leading scorer (24.8 points per game) and is averaging 30.0 points per game in five December games.

What channel is Grizzlies vs. Rockets on today?

• TV channel: Bally Sports Southeast

• Stream: Bally Sports app, FUBO (free trial)

Grizzlies vs. Rockets start time

• Date: Dec. 13

• Time: 7 p.m. CT

Grizzlies vs. Rockets betting odds

• SPREAD: Rockets -6

• MONEY LINE: Rockets -250, Grizzlies +205

• OVER/UNDER: 213

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies live score updates vs Houston Rockets; Desmond Bane out